Whitner wins: Safety recognized for professionalism with media

After the 49ers uncharacteristically surrendered 184 rushing yards in a 27-7 loss to the Colts in September, safety Donte Whitner was asked to explain what happened.

Whitner’s answer: The defense executed OK, but failed because it didn’t play with fire.

“It’s OK to be where you’re supposed to be to do your job, but that passion is what makes the 49ers defense,” Whitner said. “We need to capture that passion really, really quick.”

That is one of many moments this season that captured why Whitner was appreciated by the local media. Not only would he stand up and speak after difficult losses, he also said something.

For the second time in his three seasons with the team, Whitner won the annual Garry Niver Award for his professionalism and cooperation in dealing with the local media. The award, in its 21st year, is voted on by the reporters who regularly cover the team and is sponsored by the San Francisco Chapter of the Pro Football Writers of America.

In his unofficial role as team spokesman, Whitner routinely spoke with candor and thoughtfulness on a variety of topics this season, ranging from the NFL’s crackdown on illegal hits, bullying in the league’s locker rooms and linebacker Aldon Smith’s return from a stint in rehab.

On the field, he vastly improved in pass coverage and was refreshingly honest when I asked him about his previous deficiencies in that area for this story.

“Sometimes you try to tune it out, but you see it,” Whitner said. “Somebody will tweet and say something like, ‘Yeah, Whitner gave up the most touchdowns for a safety last year.’ You might glance and see it and subconsciously it’s in the back of your mind. So stuff like that gets under your skin.”

Whitner was a runaway winner for the Niver this season. Bruce Miller finished second and Jonathan Goodwin was third. Eric Reid, Carlos Rogers, Joe Staley, Glenn Dorsey, Tarell Brown, Phil Dawson and Frank Gore, last year’s winner, also received votes.

It remains to be seen if Whitner, a pending free agent, will be back in 2014. In July, in his first training-camp meeting with the media, he was asked about his entering-the-final-year-of-his-contract status.

His answer: “Anybody who ever says it’s not a concern, they’re probably lying.”